Anthony Bagley, the new farm manager at Duchy College led the procession in a tractor on Saturday 24th June for St Sampson’s Church annual medieval barrow push and summer fete. Duchy College came to our rescue at the last minute to pull the trailer of dignitaries from Callington to South Hill.
An assortment of decorated wheel barrows, were entered and wheelie bins from SHARE Recycling for Charity project were pushed the 2 miles from Callington to South Hill preceded by our Knight carrying the St Sampson’s banner, followed up by our local dignitaries; Callington Portreeve – Pete Watson, the town crier – Tony Stentiford and local lay minister Nigel Cooper.
The winning ‘barrow’ was a wheelie bin with a real child inside! They were awarded the trophy made from the old bells headstock.
The route commemorates the historic connection between St Mary’s Church in Callington and St Sampson’s, South Hill. Before St Mary’s was built the people of Callington would have had to travel to South Hill to bury their dead. When the request to right of burial in Callington was finally granted in 1438, it was granted on certain conditions. In exchange for their new rights, the inhabitants of Callington were to pay the rector of St Sampsons £2 annually, as a sign of their subjection to the mother church; and to pay the parishioners of South Hill two candles, of 2lbs each, with four pennies stuck in each. We are still awaiting a back payment of candles from many years, which can now be reduced by two!
THANK YOU Beech Auctions where the barrows and everyone assembled before setting off, lead off by Steve and Tony on their beautiful Harley Davidson bikes.
The miniature donkeys delighted the crowd with their friendliness, much tea, cake, beer and ice cream was consumed whilst being entertained by Launceston Town Band and making felted snakes with Freddie’s Fibre Friends. Our giant St Sampson monk watched over the merriment, enjoyed by all.
The prize draw winner of £100, generously donated by Glebe vets, was Susie Hunter who bought just one ticket! Other winners were Hilda Brent and Nigel Cooper.
A big thanks to all our sponsors: Callington Garden Machinery, RPB Motors, Davy Electrical, Le Page Architects & Gist Insurance Brokers.
The fete raised approximately £2,000 towards the continuing restoration of St Sampson’s Church. If you would like to help keep this special place open for the community and find out more visit the just giving page. St Sampsons Unlocked. Restore St Sampson’s Church – JustGiving and follow St Sampson’s Unlocked face book page. Facebook
